State of Missouri Archives: on Tax Reform


Austin Petersen: 15% flat tax across the board

In a perfect world, we would get rid of the income tax. In the meantime, we need a flat tax--15% across the board: personal, corporate, capital gains, you name it. This is the only way to make the system fair. By establishing a flat tax and eliminating the self-employment tax, we can level the playing field. We must treat small businesses just the same as we do large corporations.
Source: 2018 Missouri Senatorial website AustinPetersen.com Oct 1, 2017

Bob Holden: $2B in tax relief in last 6 years; now tighten our belts

Missourians are enjoying unprecedented tax relief. In total, the combination of tax cuts, tax credits, and tax refunds have returned almost $2 billion to Missouri taxpayers during the past six years. However, the combination of a slowing economy, deep tax cuts, and unexpected mandatory expenses have put stress on our state budget. Therefore, the first priority of this legislative session must be to tighten our belts and deliver a balanced budget.
Source: 2001 State of the State speech in Missouri House Chambers Jan 30, 2001

Catherine Hanaway: Decrease income taxes & corporate taxes; support flat tax

Source: Missouri Legislative 1998 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

Chris Koster: Cut personal income tax, capital gains, and tax on dividends

How business-friendly is Missouri compared to 49 other states? Not as friendly as you may think. The conservative Tax Foundation ranks Missouri 16th nationally. While Missouri waits for the next Boeing to knock at our door, let's agree to act now to place Missouri reliably in the top 10 states in America when it comes to business-friendly policies.

The two most impactful steps lawmakers can take today to create a top 10 business climate are these: cut taxes and expand Medicaid. By trimming Missouri's top individual tax rate from 6 percent, we effectively cut three separate taxes at once: the personal income tax rate, the capital gains tax rate, and Missouri's tax on dividends and interest. Most national rankings analyze these three tax rates separately, so by cutting Missouri's 6 percent tax rate, we will improve in three categories simultaneously.

Source: Koster StLToday.com column: 2016 Missouri gubernatorial race Feb 18, 2014

Claire McCaskill: Ad-Watch: Supports middle-class tax cuts, not all tax cuts

[Josh Hawley's TV ad accused McCaskill of opposing tax cuts]. McCaskill's team sent several instances where she did favor middle-class tax cuts.